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Graduating class takes on Grad Bash

Thrill rides and endless dining options, the senior class of 2022 attended Grad Bash in celebration of the end of the year

Ashley Hoskins editor-in-chief

For the frst time in three years, the senior Class of 2022 attended Grad Bash, hosted by Universal Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida. With private access after 7 p.m., high-school seniors in the state of Florida experience dining options and attractions throughout the whole park until early morning. Ryan Holbrook (‘22) dropped his bag in a hallway in orange as the frst step of bag checking and then stood in line for the administration to then check his bag again. “I would change a more effcient way of checking bags before leaving to depart on the buses and a better security system. We should the students go in all three hallways so they’re not all packed together. Even though it took us a long time to get there, I had a lot of fun. We ended up going on Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, and The Simpsons Ride, despite the long wait lines, which were about two hours,” Holbrook said. A big Harry Potter fan from an early age, Melanie Garcia (‘22) became excited as she found out the senior class was attending Grad Bash this year. “My favorite part of the night was Hogsmade, which is in the Harry Potter World. They did such a good job with the theme and making it so realistic. That night, I only got to go on one of their rides but I was still happy because I got to go on Hogwarts Express. It was fun seeing all the interactive areas,” Garcia said. Also attending Grad Bash, Youstina Gabriel (‘22) experienced long wait times

Photo provided by Ashley Hoskins Photo provided by Melanie Garcia Photo provided by Ashley Hoskins Photo provided by Logan Hand to enter the park and ride thrill rides. “I was very grateful even though we had to wait a really long time getting into the park and waiting to go on the rides. We were able to pass time but we pretty much hopped from park to park trying to fnd rides with shorter lines,” Gabriel said.

Photos provided by Nasrin Rahmani

Never missing a chance to dance

Students attend the frst normal prom in two years, enjoying the buffet, photo booths, and dancing to the music

Sofa Chianella ent./opinion editor

With students walking into the Innisbrook Ballroom on March 26, they entered into a space flled with Hollywood theme decorations, including balloon arches, photo booths, and fun festivities such as popcorn machines. The Student Council planned the event with the dedication to making the frst prom in two years one to remember. Starting at 6 PM, prom consisted of dancing with classmates for a few hours before the administration announced the members of the prom court, and later the prom queen, princess, king, and queen. Member of the prom court, Chloe Zondlo (‘22) appreciated being voted on by her fellow classmates. “When I found out I was on prom court I was very excited. I had so much fun at Prom getting to spend time with and dancing with my friends and being on prom court made it more special and memorable,” Zondlo said. As seniors experienced prom with their friends, Samantha Cragle (‘22) felt that this event was a way to celebrate activities they have missed over the past two years. “I was so honored and appreciative, our class is flled with so many amazing hardworking people, so to get to stand alongside some of them on court really meant a lot. I eeally loved prom. It defnitely was a great memory to add to my senior year. Seeing everyone together celebrating was the best, I feel like we have missed out on a lot the past two years, and we forgot what it was like to just celebrate,” Cragle said. Feeling honored to represent the school on prom court, Jace Trautner (‘22) felt that his prom experience was rememberable. “Especially with being on court it makes it even more special. Prom is something completely different to hoco and it’s something I’ll never forget,” Trautner said. With Kole Kemple’s (‘22 ) friend Cosette Ganci (‘22) also being nominated for prom court, he was extremely excited to end his senior way this year. “I would defnitely say going to prom was a really eye-opening experience, because my friends and I had just gotten back from our senior trip and then going to prom made us all realize how soon this high school experience would be over. Prom itself wasn’t amazing in our opinion, but getting ready was a lot of fun,” Kemple said. Having appreciated everyone’s unique outfts at prom, court member Medin Kukuljac (‘22) felt honored to have been selected for this posi. “My experience for prom was a lot of fun being around everyone I spent these last 4 years with was great,” Kukuljac said. Awarded prom prince was Dylan Bromberg (‘22), Sonya Babksi (‘22) was awarded prom princess, Bebel Viera (‘22) won prom queen, while John Habib (‘22) won prom king.

Photos provided by Deomari Thorpe Photo provided by Samantha Cragle